Middle East

Israeli delegation meets US officials on settlement construction

An Israeli delegation arrived in Washington Sunday to meet with representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration regarding the U.S. request that Israel rein in settlement construction، as Israel Hayom said.Prime Minister's Office Chief of Staff Yoav Horowitz and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer are set to hold meetings Monday with an American team led by Trump's Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt.The meetings comes just three days after Greenblatt's visit to Israel ended. During his trip، Greenblatt met with Netanyahu and with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.Netanyahu said last week that the content of their discussion has not yet been revealed as efforts to reach an understanding on settlements with the Americans are ongoing.A joint statement released following the visit said that progress was made on the matter following Netanyahu's meeting with Trump last month. It was further said that talks would be ongoing.According to various diplomatic officials، Netanyahu is asking for the Trump administration's approval of construction in east Jerusalem and the settlement blocs in exchange for a construction freeze outside the blocs.